Ingot stripper



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR MarCh 4, 1930- R. H. STEVENS INGoT sTRI'PPERFiled Aug. 25, 1928 www@ Rie/aard l @nv/wm.

R. H. STEVENS INGOT STRIPPER March 4, l 930.

Filed Aug. 23, 1928' 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iza/ard Af. Stevens'.

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March 4, 1930. R H STEVENS 1,749,723

ING-0T STRIPPER mhafdszyem.

March 4, i930. R. H. STEVENS INGOT STRIPPER Filed AHL 25, 1928 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR March 4, 1930. R, H, STEVENS 1,749,723

INGOT STRIPPER Filed Aug. 23, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5K i il i INVENTORkar-l E 1576061219.

Patented Mar. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE RICHARD E. STEVENS, FWESTMONT BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO IBETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANYINGOT STBIPPER Application filed August 23, 1928. Serial No. 301,471.

My invention relates to apparatus for stripping ingots from molds and ismore particularlyY designed for use in stripping big end up ingotshaving sinkhead top portions.

It is customary when casting ingots, with the big end up, to place arefractoryl top or sinkhead mold, of suitable material to form anextension for the mold proper, as by this arrangement ingots more freefrom piping and segregation are formed, the result being that the metalin the upper or larger end of the ingot and the sinkhead remains fluidfor a longer time than the smaller lower end, thus allowing theshrinkage cavity to localize itself in the sinkhead top portion of theingot. After the ingot becomes suilieiently cooled the refractory to ispreferably removed so that this part o the ingot projects out of 2o themold at the top.

It is the object of my invention to provide a. device for gripping theprojecting portion of the ingot and means for exerting a pressure on themold and an oppositely directed pressure on the ingot so as to overcomeits resistance to separation from the mold.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sim le device forstripping a bi end up ingot om its mold, which is easi y at 3o tached,with slight changes, to a crane adapted to strip big end down ingots.

Having thus given a general description of my invention, I will now, inorder to make the same more clear, refer to the accompanying five sheetsof drawings, which form part of this specification and in which likecharacters of reference indicate like parts.

Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatically the general arrangement of astripping crane with my improved tongs attached thereto in the positionthey will assume when they are about to grip the sinkhead top portion ofthe ingot;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my invention `drawn on a larger scaleshowing the tongs suspended over the mold of a large top ingot having aprojecting sinkhead top, and 1n position to begin to grip the sinkheadportion of the ingot, the cradle being shown in its lowered position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation but showing the tongs after the sinkheadportion of the ingot has been gripped and the main and auxiliary levershave been moved to extreme travel by means of raising the ram and cradlewhile the ingot has been raised slightly to begin the strippingoperation;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the tongs and lower end of the ramillustrated in Figs. 1 t0 3, but drawn on a slightly larger scale;

Fi 5 is an end elevation similar to Fig. 4 but sowing a modified form oftongs, with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the manner ofconstruction;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the tongs detached as used with theconstruction shown in Fig. 5

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the crosshead 111sed4with the constructionshown in Figs.

Fi 8 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing t e ingot stripped andraised clear of the mold;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional elevation through the cradle and thelower portion of the ram, illustrating the usual manner of strippingingots larger at the bottom than at the top; and

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 9.

Referring now to the characters of reference on the drawings and firstto Figs. 1, 2,

3, 4, 7 and 8, the numeral 1 indicates the ingot mold seated on a stool2 with the largeend up, having lifting lugs 3 near the top and bottomedges for lifting the same when re quired. The ingot 4 is cast in themold with a projecting sinkhead top portion 5, which is accomplished bymountin a refractory eX- tension on top of the mold in any approvedmanner as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 by the numeral 6. Afterthe ingot has been cast and suiliciently cooled the refractory to isremoved thereby allowing. my improve stripping tongs to engage and stripthe ingot from the mold.

The stripping tongs consist of two pairs of main levers of thebell-crank type 7, 8, 9 and 10. Each pair being connected togetherintermediately at opposite sides by means of similar to Fig. 2,

l bolts 11 and 12 forming fulcrum points for the main levers. Thesebolts extend through eyes 13 in a crosshead 14 thereby maintaining thepairs of levers in spaced relation to each other and are adapted to takethe loads directly resulting from the gripping action of the' tongs.`The upper ends of the bellcrank lmain levers have a longer leveragethan the lower ends. The levers 7 and 8 being connected together attheir upper outer ends by means of a bolt 15, having links 161 and 17attached thereto and secured by means of a pin 18 to the cradle 19.

The links 16 and 17 being spaced apart on the bolt 15 andpin 18 bysleeves 20. The longer ends of the main levers 9 and 10 are alsoconnected together in a similar manner l by means of a bolt 21 andattached to the cradle 19, as at 22 byglinks 23 and 24 spaced apartbysleeves 25. etween the lower shorter ends ofthe main levers 7, 8, 9and 10 are fulcrumed as at 26 and 26 auxiliary levers 27 and 28 to whichare attached or integrally formed, bits 29 for gripping the sinkhead topportion of the ingot. The auxiliary levers 27 and 28 have their outerends each connected as at 30 to a pair of links 31 and 32, havingtheir-upper ends pivoted as at'33 and 34 to the base casting on thelower end of the ram 35, which also carries the plunger 36 adapted toslide in an opening 37 in the crosshead 14 and forming a guide for thesame.

The cradle 19 carries a plurality of sheaves 38 around which wire cables39 are reeved and extend to sheaves 40 mounted near the upper end .ofthe ram 35, the ends of which extend to the winding drums 41 and 42 011lthe trolley'43, indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 8 which ismounted on the traveling crane bridge -44 and enables the tongs to bemoved laterally and longitudinally.

The ram 35, has a vertical rack-bar 45 attached to its upper end,meshing with a pinion 46 connected with suitable gearing anddrivingmechanism, on the trolley 43 by means of which it islraised orlowered to the required height, while the Cradle 19 is adapted to slidevertically, in ways 47 on the ram and is raised or lowered by thewinding drums 41 and 42 which are connected together by gearing to allowthem to rotate at the same .rate of speed.

The operation of my device is as follows 1- Assuming that the parts arein the posit-ion illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings with thetongs suspended from the trolley 43 on the traveling crane bridge 44 theweight of the tongs being carried by the links 16, 17, 22, 23, 31 and 32will assume a position such that the auxiliary levers 27 and 28 willbear on the main lever bolts l1 and 12 forming fulorum points therefor.By raising the -cradle 19 the bits 29 will come together to grip thesinkhead top position 5 of the ingot and as the load increases on thelinks. the

tionary and the cradle 19 continues torise,

carrying with it the main tong levers 7, 8, 9 and 10, raising both theingot and the mold.

The auxiliary levers 27 and 28 having their outer ends connected bylinks to the ram are thus rotated on their fulcrums 26 and 26. As theauxiliary levers rotate, the lower arcshaped ends 48 of the main levers7, 8, 9 and 10 are forced downwardly on the top of the ingot mold, whilethe bits 29 as they sink into the ingot, are forced upwardly, thusproducing two opposing forces, one operating against the mold as afulcrum and the other pullin the ingot upward and having the effect olforcing the ingot out of the mold thereby assuming the positionindicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In the stripping operation both the ingot and the mold will be lifted,but the ingot due to the leverage will be raised at a greater rate ofspeed than the mold thereby separating the ingot from the mold. y f

As the auxiliary levers 27 and 28 are rocked the gripping forces areincreased thereby stripping the ingot from the mold as indicated in Fig.8. 'lhe ingot can then be transferred directly to the soaking pitfurnace or elsewhere as desired. To release the ingot the ram 35 islowered until the lower end of the ingot engages the floor of thesoaking pit furnace or other support,'the cradle is then loweredallowing the tongs to move further apart and assume a' position similarto that shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In' Figs. 5 and y6 I have shown the tongs A constructed in a` slightlydifferent manner although the operation -is substantially the same. Inthis construction I dispensewith' the crosshead 14 and plunger 36 andspace the main side levers 7, 8, 9 and 10 apart by means of thimbles 49through which the bolts 11 and 12 for the main side levers pass, theouter ends of the bolts extending through cheek-plates 50 and 51 andinstead of using a pair of links for connecting the outer ends of theauxiliary levers 27 and 28 I use a single link as at 52 and 53 eachhaving a bifurcated upper end 54 attached to the ram, the lower end ofeach link being connected to the outer bifurcated ends 55 of theauxiliary levers. Otherwise the construction is similar to the firstpair of tongs described in detail and the same reference numerals willapply thereto.

As above stated my tongs are adapted to be appliedto the usual standardstripping cranes now in use for stripping large end down ingots asindicated in Figs. 9 and 10, the only alteration necessary is to removethe gripping` links 56 and substitute my tongs in place thereof byattaching the upper ends of which stick in the mold.

My invention may be easily operated to engage different sized ingot topsas by simply raising the cradle the bits will come nearer together togrip the'ingot or by lowering the cradle the b1ts will move fartherapart.

Although I have shown and described my invention 1n considerable detail,I do not wish to be limited to the exact and specific detailsy thereof,as shown and described, but may use such modifications" in,substitutions for, or equivalents thereof as are embraced within thescope of my inventionor as pointed out in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patl. An ingot stripping mechanism, comprising two pairs of mainlevers each pair connected together to form a fulcrum in lixed spaced reation to each other at an intermediate point, ingot gripping meanspivoted between each pair of main levers, means for operating the mainlevers and the gripping mechanism, and means adapted to exert a downwardpressureon the top of the mold and an upward force on the ingot.

2. An ingot stripping apparatus, the combination of two pairs of mainlevers having pivotal points inxed spaced relation to each other,plvoted ingot gripping means attached to the main levers, hoisting meansfor operating the ingot gripping means and adapted to initially raiseboth the ingot and mold simultaneously and' to exert a downward pressureon the mold and an upward force on the ingot, and means lfor initiallyraising the ingot ata greater Arate of speed than the mold.

3. An ingot stripping apparatus, comprising. oppositely opposed mainlevers connected together to form a fulcrum at an intermediate point,ingot gripping means pivoted to the main levers, hoisting meansconnected to the main levers and the ingot gripping means, and meansadapted to exert a downward pressure on the mold and an upward force onthe ingot.

4. In an ingot stripping apparatus comprising two pairs of oppositelyopposed main levers, each pair connected together to form a fulcrum atan intermediate point, ingot gripping means pivoted to the main levers,

' operating mechanism secured to the main levers and the ingot grippingmeans adapted to exert a downward pressure on the top of the mold and anupward force on the ingot,

and means for initially raising the ingot at a greater rate of speedthan the mold.

5. In an ingot stripping apparatus comprising two pairs of oppositelyopposed mainl levers, each pair connected together to form a fulcrum atan intermediate point in fixed spaced relation to each other, ingotgripping means ivoted to the main levers below their pivoted) point,hoisting means vhaving separate connections adapted to operate the mainlevers and gripping means together, and means adapted to exert adownward pressure on the top of the mold and an upward force on theingot.

6. In an ingot stripping apparatus, comprising two pairs of oppositelyopposed main levers, `each pair connected together to form a fulcrum atan intermediate point, auxiliary levers pivoted to the main levershaving ingot gripping means formed thereon adapted to engage an ingot,hoisting means for raising and lowering the levers, independentconnections between the hoisting means and the main and auxiliarylevers, means for initially raising both the ingot and the moldsimultaneously, and 'means for exerting a downward pressure on the topof the mold and an upward force on the ingot.

7. In an ingot stripping mechanism, the combination with the ram, acradle slidably mounted thereon, oppositely opposed main levers attachedto the cradle and pivoted at an intermediate point to form a fulcrumpoint therefor, auxiliary levers pivoted to the main levers having ingotgripping means thereon adapted'to engage an ingot, a connection betweenthe auxiliary levers and the ram and hoisting mechanism for 'raising andlowering theram and cradle together and independently of each other.

In an ingot stripping mechanism, the combinatiop with a ram, a cradleslidably mounted thereon, two pairs of oppositely opposed main leversattached to the cradle, each spaced apart and pivotallyconnectedtogether to form a fulcrum at an intermediate point, auxiliary leverspivoted to the main levers below their fulcrum point having ingotgripping means formed thereon at their inner ends and ada ted to engagethe sides near the top end oi) the ingot, a connection between theauxiliary levers and the ram, and means for raising and lowering the ramand cradle together and independently of each other.

9. In an ingot stripping mechanism, comprising two pairs o oppositelyopposed main levers pivoted together to form fulcrum points therefor atintermediate points and la apted to contact with the top of the mold,means for connecting and spacing the main levers apart, an auxillarylever pivoted to each pair of the main levers having gripping meansformed thereon for engaging the sides near the top of an ingot, hoistingmeans llO ;necting the two pairs of` bell-crank main levers together,auxiliary levers pivoted t0 and rotatably mounted between each air ofthe belLcrank main levers having its on; their inner ends VJforlengaging the sides near the top of the ingot, and hoisting means con-1ynected to the main fand. auxiliary levers adapted whenv raised to imparta downward pressure on the top of the mold yand an upward force on theingot.

11. In an ingot stripping mechanism comprising two palrs of oppositelyopposed bellcrank main levers, spaced apart and pivoted together at anintermediate point and adapted to have their lower ends engage the topof the mold, cheekplat'es lfor connecting the two pairs of bell-crankmain levers together, auxiliary levers'pivoted to and rotatablmountedbetween each pair of bell-crank mam levers having bits on theirinner ends for engaging the sides near the to of the ingot, ho1stingmeans connected to t e main and auxiliary levers for initially raisingboth the ingot and mold simultaneously and thereby exerting a downwardpressure on the mold and an upward force on the ingot.

12. In an ingot stripping mechanism, comprising two alrs of oppositelyopposed bellcrankmain evers, spaced apart and pivoted together at anintermediate oint, said belle' crank main llevers having ong horizontalarms and short vertical arms adapted to have their lower'ends engage thetop of the mold, cheek-plates for connecting the two pairs of bell-crankmain levers together, auxiliary vlevers pivoted to and rotatably mountedbetween the vertical short arms of each pair cf bell-crank main levershaving bits o n their inner ends for engaging the sides near the top ofthe ingot, hoisting means connected to the main land auxiliary leversfor initially7 l raising both theingot and the mold simulthe top otaneously and apated to exert a downward pressure on the mold and anupward force-cf greater speed on the ingot.

13. In an ingot strlpping machine, the combination with a ram, areciprocating cradle mounted thereon, tongs comprising oppositel opposedmain levers for engaging ,the mold, means for connecting the v.nainlevers together and form a pivotal point thereon, means for connectingthe main levers to the cradle, auxiliary levers pivoted to the mainlevers for engaging the ingot, and means :for connecting the auxiliarylevers to the ram.

a vvl5. In an ingot strlppmg combina tionv vwith the ram, areciprocating cradle mounted` thereon, tongs comprising of main vleversand adapte 14. In an in got stripping machine, the combination wlth aram, a reciprocating 'cradle mounted thereon, tongs comprisingl twopairs of oppositely opposed spaced. mam levers for engagi the top of themold,

gether and form a pivotalr pintthereon, inks for' 'connecting-themainfleversvto the auxiliary levers and the ram.

che plates' the main levers and the cradle, an auxiliary and the ram.r

larranged to have their 'lower plates crank main levers' together andadaptedj'to.

. Y 0 means foi-connecting the mam levers to,-

machine; they twopairs o f oPpositely *opposed-,mainfleversfg orconnectinv the two" 'pairs y to'form a pivlfl otal point` thereon, linkconnections between" Y lever pivoted to each pair'ofmaiil levers, randlink connections between the' auxiliary levers vform a fulcrum pointthereon, link connec` tions betweenthe bell-crank main levers and thecradle, and auxiliary lever pivoted be-v tween the lower ends ofeach'pair of the bellcrank main levers adapted te form a fulcrmn pointthereon andhaving ingot means frmed on their inner` ends, `anconnectlons between the auxlliary levers and the ram.

17. In an ingot stripping machine, the;

combination with a ram, a 4reciprocating cradle mounted thereon, tongscomprising two pairs of oppositely opposedbe'll-'crank 'main levers,each having a comparatively long horizontal arm and a short vertical armarranged to have*their lower ends contact with the ltop of a mold,thimbles *for spacing the bell-crank main levers apart, cheek-plates forconnecting the two pairs of bell-crank 'main levers together and adaptedto form a fulcrum therefor at the point of juncture-between the-horizontal and vertical arms, links connecting the outer ends of thebellcrank main levers with the cradle, an auxiliar 1ever pivoted betweenthe vertical arms o the lbell-crank main levers below their pivotal ointand adapted to form a fulcrum there or, ingot gripping means formed onthe` inner ends of the auxiliary levers, and link connections betweenthe outer ends of the auxiliary levers and the ram.

18. In an ingot stripping machine, the combination with a ram, areciprocating cradle mounted thereon, tongs comprising two pairs ofoppositely opposed bell-crank main levers each having a comparativelylong horizontal arm and a short vertical arm arranged to have theirlowerends Contact with the top of a mold, thimbles for spacing the bell-crankmain levers -apart, cheek-plates for connecting the two pairs ofbell-crank main levers together and adapted to form a fulcrum thereforat the point of uncture between the horizontal and vertical arms aroundwhich the arms are rocked, links connecting the outer ends of thebell-crank main levers with the cradle, an auxiliary lever pivotedbetween each of of the bell-crank main levers below their pivotal pointand adapted to form a fulcrum therefor around which the said auxiliaryarms may rock, ingot gripping bits formed on the inner ends of theauxiliary levers adapted to engage the ingot, link connections betweenthe outer ends of the auxiliary levers and the ram, and means forraising the ram and cradle thereby exerting a downward pressure on thetop of the mold and an upward force on the ingot.

19. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising a hoist, a ram, main leversand a rotatably mounted vingot gripping device attached thereto havinglink connections depending from said ram and operatively connected tosaid hoist.

ingot stripping mechanism comprising a hoist, a ram, a pair of pivotedtong members, an ingot gripping jaw pivoted to each tong member, a linkconnecting each jaw to said ram, and a link connecting each tong memberto said hoist.

21. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising a hoist, a ram having aguideway, a member slidingly mounted on said guideway, a pair of tongmembers pivoted to said member, an ingot gripping jaw pivoted to each ofsaid tong members, a link connectin each tong member to said hoist, anda connecting each jaw .to said ram.

22. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising a hoist, a ram de endingtherefrom, a. cradle slidably mounted) thereon, a pair of tongsconnected to the cradle, a jaw pivoted to said tongs, means to operatesaid ton and means connected to the ram to rock saitglsj aw.

23. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising a hoist, a ram dependingtherefrom, a cradle slidabl mounted thereon, a pair of tongs connectedyto the cradle, a j aw rotatably mounted to said tongs and connected tothe ram, said jaw having an ingot gripping face eccentric to its axis ofrotation, means to operate said tongs, and means to rotate said jaw.

24. A. device for stripping an ingot from its mold comprising main levermembers for engaging the mold, means rotatably mounted on said mainlever members adapted to grip the ingot, and means to rotate said meansto move the ingot relatively to the mold.

the vertical short armsv 25. A device for stripping an ingot, a pivotedmember for engaglng the end of a mold, means for supporting said pivotedmember, a jaw member pivoted to said pivoted member adapted to grip theingot, said jaw member having its gripping face eccentric to its axls ofrotation, and means to rotate said jaw.

26. A device for stripping an ingot, a pair of tongs adapted to rest onthe end of the mold in its open position, a j aw member plvoted to saidtongs and having an ingot gripping face eccentric to its axis ofrotatlng, means to close said tongs, and means to rotate said jaw.

27. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising means to grip an ingot,pivoted means for supporting the ingot gripping means adapted to engagethe top of the mold and -to withdraw the ingot from a mold, and means tomove said ingot relatively to said Withdrawing means.

28. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising means to grip an lngot,pivoted main means to engage the top of the mold and to move the ingot,and auxiliary means pivoted to the main means for moving the ingotindependent of said main means.

29. An ingot stripping mechanism comprising means to grip an ingot,pivoted lever means adapted to engage the ingot mold top while movingthe ingot, and means adapted to simultaneously apply pressure on theingot mold and an oppositely directed pressure on the ingot actuated bythe movement of the ingot.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ax my signature.

RICHARD H. STEVENS.

